Pokémon GO was arguably the most popular app launched in recent history. Millions of people have downloaded the app, even in territories where it wasn’t officially available (such as here in South Africa).

Lately, the game has seen a decline in users. Many people have cited delayed global roll out and lack of increased functionality as the biggest reasons why they’re no longer trying to catch them all.

One of the biggest complaints about Pokémon GO is the massive battery drain caused when playing. A fully charged smartphone battery could go from 100% to 0% in an hour if the app was open all the time.

In an effort to combat this, or just to bring more variety to the game, the Pokémon GO Plus wearable has been announced.

Introducing the Pokémon GO Plus

The Pokémon GO Plus is a small device that lets you enjoy Pokémon GO while you’re on the move and not looking at your smartphone. It looks like a Pokéball merged with a Google Maps pin and is worn on your wrist like a smartwatch. The device connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth low energy and notifies you about events in the game – such as the appearance of a Pokémon nearby – using a LED and vibration.

The wearable will flash and vibrate when you’re in range of a Pokéstop or when there’s a Pokémon close by that can be caught. Once a Pokémon is close, press the button on the Pokémon GO Plus to throw a Pokéball. The Pokémon GO Plus will flash and vibrate to let you know if you were successful in catching the Pokémon.

Pokémon GO Plus certainly comes across as a novelty. If you’re looking to get one of your own, you can order it on Raru or Loot.co.za. If you own an Apple Watch, then it’s worth waiting for the watch-compatible app to become available and save yourself just over R600.